Sport Specific Information |
| Why this sport? |
Her parents were both racehorse trainers, and one of her earliest memories is of riding a pony. |
Further Personal Information |
| Languages |
English |
| Other names |
Kristina Gifford |
| Residence |
Findon, GBR |
General Interest |
| Famous relatives |
Her mother Althea Roger Smith was an international jumper and event rider. Her father Josh Gifford was a champion jockey and successful trainer. Her brother Nick has also trained horses, while her daughter Isabelle has competed in eventing at national youth level competitions. (an-eventful-life.com.au, 05 May 2019; eqlife.co.uk, 27 May 2011; badminton-horse.co.uk, 10 Jul 2003; britisheventing.com, 20 May 2021) |
Sport Specific Information |
| When and where did you begin this sport? |
She rode horses throughout her childhood and was an active member of her local club in Crawley, England. She began riding full-time at age 16. |
General Interest |
| Other information |
RETIREMENT FROM ELITE LEVEL
In November 2022 she announced her retirement from top-level eventing after her horse Billy The Red had to be put down at age 15. She said she intended to focus on producing young horses and continue competing up to three-star level. "I've had a fabulous career. There is more I'd like to win. But I've been able to be competitive, and aim for British teams, for the past 30 years, and I've produced and ridden many wonderful horses. I took the decision that was right for the horse [Billy The Red]. I get so attached to my horses; it was so sad but if they can't have a happy retirement, you have to do what's right by the horse. And at the same time as announcing that, I thought maybe now's the time to say what's probably going to happen. It was a bit of a wake-up call when I wasn't entered for Tokyo [the 2020 Olympic Games] as I felt Billy would have been competitive but when there are younger people coming through – which there should be, you'd be worried if there weren't – you maybe have to step down gracefully, or try to be graceful." (horseandhound.co.uk, 26 Nov 2022)
CHARITY WORK
She has held the position of vice president of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust. (championswillberry.org.uk, 19 Jan 2017) |
Last Update |
| |
21 Apr 2022 |
General Interest |
| Awards and honours |
In 2014 she was inducted into the British Horse Society Equestrian Hall of Fame. (jeanniesequestrianworld.co.uk, 07 Feb 2014) |
| Nicknames |
Tina (Facebook profile, 06 Mar 2018) |
| Hero / Idol |
British rider Lucinda Green. (redmills.co.uk, 24 May 2015) |
Further Personal Information |
| Occupation |
Athlete, Horse Trainer |
General Interest |
| Injuries |
She dislocated her shoulder after falling at the 2018 Burnham Market Horse Trials in England. (noellefloyd.com, 06 Jul 2018; horseandhound.co.uk, 02 Apr 2018) |
| Memorable sporting achievement |
Winning individual silver at the 1993 European Championships in Achselschwang, Germany. "That was a very pivotal part of my career; my first time on a senior team, at 22, and coming back with a silver." (horseandhound.co.uk, 26 Nov 2022) |
Olympic Games |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2012 |
OG-C London (GBR) |
MINERS FROLIC |
6 |
2 |
| 2008 |
OG-C Hong Kong - Beijing (CHN) |
MINERS FROLIC |
3 |
3 |
World Equestrian Games |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2010 |
6th WEG-C Lexington KY (USA) |
MINERS FROLIC |
29 |
1 |
| 2002 |
4th WEG-C Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
22 |
|
Continental Championships and Games |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2013 |
CH-EU-C3* Malmö (SWE) |
MINERS FROLIC |
13 |
6 |
| 2009 |
CH-EU-C3* Fontainebleau (FRA) |
MINERS FROLIC |
1 |
1 |
| 2003 |
CH-EU-C3* Punchestown (IRL) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
37 |
|
Other Events |
| Year |
Venue |
Horse |
Ind. Rank |
Team Rank |
| 2013 |
CCI4*-HSBC Burghley (GBR) |
DE NOVO NEWS |
10 |
|
| 2013 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
MINERS FROLIC |
18 |
|
| 2013 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
DE NOVO NEWS |
61 |
|
| 2011 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
MINERS FROLIC |
WD |
|
| 2010 |
CCI4*-HSBC Badminton (GBR) |
MINERS FROLIC |
EL |
|
| 2009 |
CCI4*-HSBC Luhmühlen (GER) |
MINERS FROLIC |
6 |
|
| 2005 |
CCI4*-SC Burghley (GBR) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
12 |
|
| 2005 |
CCI4*-SC Burghley (GBR) |
HEADWIND |
RET |
|
| 2005 |
CCI4*-SC Badminton (GBR) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
RET |
|
| 2004 |
CCI4* Burghley (GBR) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
9 |
|
| 2004 |
CCI4* Badminton (GBR) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
38 |
|
| 2003 |
CCI4* Badminton (GBR) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
12 |
|
| 2002 |
CCI4* Badminton (GBR) |
CAPTAIN CHRISTY |
12 |
|
